While the recent challenges of Covid-19 and economic uncertainty have necessitated caution, we look forward to 2024 with hopes of a return to normalcy. One crucial aspect that we believe is a big step in this direction is the communication of your company’s long-term story to the markets. Investor Relations Days are not just about financial reporting; they are about building confidence in your management team and the future of your organization through engaging storytelling.
To achieve this, it is imperative that your IR narrative be elevated to the same level as your corporate marketing efforts, positioning it as a core component rather than an afterthought. By crafting a compelling and coherent long-term narrative, you will strengthen investor trust and foster a positive outlook for your company’s future. Since producing IR events is our zone of genius, we’ll be sharing strategies and insights over the next few weeks that will equip you to maximize the impact and ROI of your organization’s IR events.
BITE-SIZED BEST PRACTICES
The insights below can serve as starting points for exploring IR events strategies that will set up your organization for success.
Scripting and Teleprompters: Ted Talks are harder than they look. What’s often overlooked is the fact that a Ted Talk has been workshopped, rehearsed, developed, edited, and polished over many months, sometimes even years. Speakers who insist on shooting from the hip typically end up shooting themselves in the foot. Effective communication takes practice and preparation. For speakers at an IR event, this means a well-written script and the use of teleprompters is essential. There’s no stock bump for playing it cool. Play it safe and lean into proper preparation.
Slides: They’re a critical part of conveying your message effectively. Don’t underestimate their importance. To ensure they meet the mark, start working on them early, well ahead of any daily distractions like sales calls or board meetings or any other obligations that will inevitably railroad their completion. An early start provides ample time for revisions and improvements, ensuring your visual aids align seamlessly with the story you want to tell.
Time Management: Setting clear deadlines and sticking to them is crucial. A well-organized timeline will not only keep you on track but also allow for the meticulous planning and execution required to produce a polished and impactful presentation. Consider starting with the end in mind. Determine the three to four key takeaways that you want investors and analysts to remember after your Investor Day, and then reverse engineer your story and the requisite slides, assigning draft due dates that will afford you time to workshop, edit, and polish. Early completion will endow your team with confidence and poise.
Production Quality: Your Investor Relations event should mirror the high level of professionalism you uphold in your corporate marketing efforts. Quality matters. By investing in top-notch production values, you enhance your ability to convey your message effectively, leaving an indelible impression on your IR audience. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-executed production with cutting edge A/V technology and storytelling mastery.
Think Beyond the Event: There’s a lot more opportunity in an IR event than what’s on the surface. You can create assets that can be used beyond your IR Day. Consider breaking down lengthy presentations into shorter, more digestible segments that can be repurposed for social media and your website. These posts can, in turn, drive traffic to 15-minute cut-downs, which may lead viewers to the 2-hour comprehensive presentation. Additionally, think about incorporating roll-in videos such as customer testimonials, sizzle videos, and ESG content that can be repurposed for any number of strategic initiatives, ultimately increasing your return on investment.
An IR event is more than a one-time presentation. It’s an opportunity to strengthen your investor relations and shape the perception of your company’s future. Take it seriously and it can quite literally pay dividends.
Schedule a call with The Buddy Group to learn how we can help you produce an IR event that will optimize your business in 2024!
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